Lenten Practices Abstinence from Meat for Those 14 Years of Age and Older
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Name change Mercyhurst College now Mercyhurst University, page 2. Beyond Valentine's Day Ideas for married couples and families, page 2. www.ErieRCD.org BI-WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN OF THE DIOCESE OF ERIE February 12, 2012 Church Calendar Events of the local, American and universal church Feast days St. Peter Damian St. Polycarp Feb. 12 World Marriage Day Feb. 14 Ss. Cyril and Methodius Feb. 17 Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order Feb. 21 St. Peter Damian Feb. 22 Ash Wednesday Feb. 23 St. Polycarp Kindergarteners at Blessed Sacrament School in Erie hold up their “Arthur” books prior to author Marc Brown’s visit. Brown, an Erie native, visited the school Jan. 30 during Catholic Schools Week. Ash Wednesday – Feb. 22 probably kids who are going students made the decorations The students and Brown Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the sea- grow up to be authors that I for the event, which included also created an animal that no son of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection will speak to today. Hopefully large cut-outs of characters one has seen before. The crea- and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s resurrec- Author and illustrator Marc Brown poses with his creation I can pass along information from the Arthur series, held a ture had the ears of a rabbit, tion on Easter Sunday. Arthur Read, an aardvark, at Blessed Sacrament School in that will be helpful.” coloring contest, read Arthur the mane of a lion, the body Ashes are a symbol of Erie. The Arthur series has sold more than 60 million books Brown, an Erie native, re- books and played an online of a monkey, the wings of an penance made sacramen- in the U.S. and the TV series has won six Emmy awards. turned Jan. 30 during Catho- Arthur game by PBS. eagle and a dragon and the tal by the blessing of the lic Schools Week to visit the Brown began his presenta- tail of a rattlesnake. Its four church, and they help us students at Blessed Sacra- tion by talking about where legs were comprised of those develop a spirit of humility By Jason Koshinskie said Brown, the creator of FaithLife editor the popular Arthur book and ment. his ideas and characters come of an elephant, a giraffe, a pig and sacrifice. Students marched into from. and a horse. Brown drew the The ashes we receive TV series. “I want to get kids ERIE – Marc Brown had excited about reading and I Blessed Sacrament’s Geiger “Everything comes from animal as he took suggestions on our foreheads are made Hall wearing Arthur ears they real life,” Brown said. “I think from the blessed palms a plan for his visit to Blessed want to get them excited about Sacrament School. writing their own stories and had colored themselves. To that’s where the best stuff used in the Palm Sunday prepare for Brown’s visit, the happens.” See MARC BROWN, page 3 celebration of the previous “I have a secret agenda,” illustrating them. There are year. While the ashes symbolize penance and contri- tion, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on him with repen- Lenten observances: tant hearts. The church calls on us to seek God’s ASH WEDNESDAY, ALL FRIDAYS IN LENT and GOOD FRIDAY are days of divine mercy during the entire Lenten season with Lenten practices abstinence from meat for those 14 years of age and older. reflection, prayer and penance. ASH WEDNESDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY are also days of fasting for those Rite of Election – Feb. 26 The observance of Lent begins on Ash ages 18 to 58 inclusive. (On these days, those bound by the law of fasting may Wednesday, February 22, a day of fast- taNe one full meal 7wo smalleU meals, suf¿Fient to maintain stUength aFFoUding Candidates and catechumens participating in ing and abstinence for all Catholics. to one’s needs, are also permitted. Eating between meals is not permitted, but the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) At Mass on Ash Wednesday, the im- liTuids inFluding milN and fruit MuiFes are allowed. :hen health or worN is seriously program at their respective parishes in the Diocese position of ashes replicates an ancient affeFted, the law does not oblige.) of Erie will celebrate the Rite of Election on Sun- penitential practice and symbolizes our day, Feb. 26, the first Sunday of Lent. The Rite of dependence upon God’s mercy and PRAYER: The church asks us to sur- ALMSGIVING: Works of charity and Election will be cel- forgiveness. render ourselves to prayer and to the the promotion of justice are integral el- ebrated at 3 p.m. at reading of Scripture. More time given ements of the Christian way of life we two locations: St. During Lent, the baptized are called to to prayer during Lent should draw us began when we were baptized. Alms- Peter Cathedral in renew their baptismal commitment as closer to the Lord. We might pray espe- giving is a sign of our care for those in Erie and St. Francis others prepare to be baptized through cially for the grace to live out our bap- need and an expression of our grati- of Assisi Parish in the Rite of Christian Initiation of tismal promises more fully. tude for all that God has given to us. Clearfield. Adults (RCIA), a period of learning New members and discernment for individuals who FASTING: The fasting observed dur- The key to fruitful observance of these of the Catholic have declared their desire to become ing Lent is a sign of discipline--fasting practices is to recognize their link to Church will be re- Catholics. for certain periods of time, fasting from baptismal renewal. We are called not ceived at their own certain foods, but also fasting from just to abstain from sin during Lent, parishes at the Eas- Traditional Lenten practices of other things and activities. Fasting is but to true conversion of our hearts ter Vigil on April 7. PRAYER, FASTING and ALSM- more than a means of developing self- and minds as followers of Christ. We The Rite of Elec- GIVING and other forms of self-deni- control. It is often an aid to prayer, as recall those waters in which we were tion formally acknowledges the readiness of those al are recommended most warmly by the pangs of hunger remind us of our baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation— the church. Daily Mass is particularly hunger for God. and evil and began new life in Christ. baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. encouraged. (From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic.org) Catholic Services Appeal 2012 Help support diocesan ministries Busloads of pilgrims from the Diocese of Erie traveled to Washington, D.C., for the 39th annual March for Life Jan. The annual Catholic Services Please visit www.ErieRCD.org/CSA.htm to 23. Appeal helps fund the Diocese Pictured below left to right are Mike Donahue, Michael of Erie’s ministries and provides watch a 10-minute video message from Bishop Donald Trautman as well as the compelling Donahue, Sara Marino, Lisa Marino, Sandi Mineweaser support for health and social ser- and Aubrey May from St. Luke Parish in Youngsville. vices, education, diocesan admin- stories of man\ who have Eene¿ted from Catholic Services Appeal dollars. About 30 parishioners from St. Luke helped make up two istration and pastoral services that busloads from Warren County. serve 13 counties in northwest Morgan Hoover, 6, pictured left, marched with her Pennsylvania. Parishes also benefit from the ects. grandmother Nancy Hoover from St. Peter Parish in The needs throughout the dio- appeal. Each parish is assessed Last year, parishioners Conneautville. The Hoovers were part of a contingent of cese are ongoing. Costs go up and a financial goal. Once a parish throughout the diocese pledged parishes from the Meadville and Sharon deaneries. the needs of the church continue reaches its assessment, every dol- more than $5.9 million. Of that, to grow. Help support our ongo- lar pledged over that amount stays more than $2.2 million was kept ing diocesan ministries. within the parish for local proj- by parishes for local projects. Parishes throughout the dio- cese will conduct Commitment Sunday the weekend of Feb. 18- A special "giving" edition 19. of Faith magazine was By supporting the CSA, here mailed to all registered are just a few diocesan ministries Catholic households in the you assist: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Erie recently. Catholic school tuition assistance, The magazine highlights parish Care and Concern groups, the needs that are met religious education, marriage tri- through both the Catholic bunal, Faith magazine and Faith- Services Appeal and The Life news bulletin, lay ministry Catholic Foundation. training, youth and young adult Several parishioners who ministry, refugee ministry, family have experienced the joy life and support programs, cam- of giving time, talent and pus ministry and adult education treasure are featured. among many others. Snippets of Catholic headlines and stories from around the world from Catholic News Service By the Way... IN THE U.S. ence at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Ash Wednesday will mark the fourth anni- in Altoona, prior to a prayer service celebrating versary of the Roman Catholic Chapel at the Respect for Life. Paterno, 85, died that morning at Millcreek Mall in Erie. The Diocese of Erie Catholic voters urged to press U.S. Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, opened the chapel Feb.